Dear Bob[2]-
I
have just finished a V-mail letter to you but for some reason, I can still
think of things to say so I’ll keep right on going. Usually my pen gets tongue
tied before I have my salutation written. Maybe the fact that I just had a full
glass of sherry that Billie + Hubert[3]
left here has something to do with it. It’s an idea, anyway.
Here
before me is a package Walter[4]
has all ready to send to you – if the Postal authorities will let him. It’s
some Pin-up gals for you – whether you need them or not. You can give then away
if you like – R.K.O. gave Walter quite a few such packages to mail out. Any of
your friends want some? Some of the pictures are really nice – some are cheese
cake but some of them aren’t. Have you any favorites you’d like to have? We aim
to please here in Hollywood! I hope there are no restrictions on sending them
to you.
At
present I am very proud of Columbia pictures[5]. Walter and I saw their new picture A Song to Remember and it lives up to
it’s (sic) name and it’s (sic) advance notices. It’s the life of Chopin and is
done in Technicolor and is really superb. Paul Muni is the old music teacher
and a newcomer, Cornel Wilde, plays Chopin. Merle Oberon is George Sand and
they are all good. Jose Iturbi does the actual piano playing but it is dubbed
in so perfectly with the scenes of Chopin playing that you aren’t conscious of
any “dubbing” going on at all – the music is marvelous – even to my untutored
ears. If ever it comes you way – by all means try to see it. They say Cornel
Wilde practices playing the piano for six months so he could get the proper
gestures and fluency in his fingers for the pictures.
Walter
was quite interested in your reaction to you English allies[6].
He talks to everyone he sees on the street of Hollywood. Lately there have been
quite a few English sailors in town especially over week-ends. You ought to talk
to some around there and get acquainted with them and then if they even get to
California maybe they’d look us up[7].
Seems strange, but they are as impressed with the glamour to the name of
Hollywood as any American is.
We’ve
had midnight curfew for a week[8]
and there really are few complaints, I think. Most shows and night clubs are
opening a few hours earlier and they say that by midnight everything actually
closes! I got off work late one night and it was like going into a
blackout. Usually as I step outside Columbia’s Doors (sic) I see the neon
lights of Earl Carroll’s + the Palladium flashing off + on but
all was pitch dark. I really think it hits the service men hardest – so often
they have just a 24 hour pass and usually they want to stretch it to the
limits. The only places open are strictly eating places – and Hollywood has few
enough of those. I only know of one place on the Blvd. that has ever been open
all night + that is a hot-dog joint, like the ones across from the State
Theatre in Fresno. The others have always closed by 1 a.m. anyway. Walter and I
will have to give up late shows on Saturday night – we’ll have to start earlier
and get there sooner from now on!
As
I said in the V-mail letter I have your second package practically in the mail.
It includes no Spam – weighs heavy and besides, the grocer[9]
discouraged it because he said most boys complain they get too much of it
anyway! Still want some? The grocer said they are also told not to ship cheeses
in glasses as, somehow, the glass expands (or contracts) and frequently get
broken on the trip. So – you’ll just get what you get - - And I didn’t forget
the keys for opening the cans – they just aren’t furnished any more. Hope you
have a can-opener handy.
We
had a big party at the office last Friday. One of the fellows is going back
home to Pennsylvania – can you imagine anyone deserting California for Pa.? The
rain isn’t that bad! We got him a bond[10]
as a farewell present and art really seemed quite pleased with it.
ClaudetteColbert is starting a picture at Columbia. I saw her the other day – recognized
her and her voice is just as husky and low in real life as in reel life.
Robert
– this is bad. You have spoiled my stationery for weeks to come. My ratio of on
sheet of paper to one envelop is completely at a loss!
Good
luck always – and love
Lydia
[1]
Post marked 5 Mar 1945.
[2]
Addressed to: Lt. R. B. Richert 02071698; 99th Bm Gr., 346 Bm Sq.;
APO 520, c/o P.M. N.Y.C.
[3]
Hubert is Robert’s and Lydia’s brother, Billie his wife.
[4]
Lydia’s husband.
[5]
Lydia worked in the executive offices of Columbia Pictures.
[6]
Other letters suggest some animosity from Walter to the English servicemen.
[7]
While this might seem far-fetched, this is probably a serious comment on Lydia’s
part. Having grown up in a time when Fresno was still a small town, she
probably used to running into friends of friends.
[8]
Have not done the research, but this late in the war, there must have been an
unusual reason for such curfew.
[9]
Interesting to note the usage. In a time of food rationing and transition
towards the modern anonymous grocery stores, the grocer was also an consultant.
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